NeylasMom Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 (edited) I know this has come up in a lot of other theeads, but I'm looking for suggestions for the best assistance harness, specifically to help a dog go up the stairs. A dog who mind you wants no part in being manipulated while doing the stairs. Zuri is starting to struggle a bit more so I'd like to start working on getting him accustomed to the harness before we absolutely need it. Also curious how much they help? He is doing fine otherwise, it's just coming up one particular set of stairs in my home that are steeper where he hesitates and sort of works to get enough momentum to go up. I don't want a flight of stairs to be our downfall when he's still quite fine doing everything else. Same thing for a compact, collapsible car ramp. The wider the better since Zuri is going to hate that too. I see a lot of training in our future. Edited September 18, 2015 by NeylasMom Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 No advice on the ramp. For assistance harnesses I'm a huge fan of the Ruffwear Webmaster Harness. It was created to help dogs over obstacles when out hiking, so it's well made and sturdy. It's fairly adjustable and seems to fit a greyhound-type body well. I could lift Dude, out tripod, up like a suitcase and carry him if necassary. But it was comfortable enough for him to have on 24/7 and only use when he needed help. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I like the Ruffwear harness for temporary situations like you are describing, it is very supportive. However, I feel that it is too heavy & bulky to leave on permanently. For that, I like the ones Carol Becker makes, but it doesn't sound like you need that. The only portable ramp I tried the dogs refused to walk on so I can't help there. sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachbum1 Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 This is about as wide a ramp as you will find on the market: http://www.discountramps.com/extra-wide-dog-ramp/p/DR-0XW/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundlady Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I can't comment on the harness as we haven't needed one - but as to the ramp, mine would never use it. I tried two different ones with no luck. I think it is too scary for greyhounds with their long skinny legs and their feeling it is too narrow, not secure enough, and 'in the air' (no sides). I have always lifted the greys who needed help into the car. I have seen where some people build their own ramps, make them wide, and cover with carpet. They don't look easy to store in the car though unless you have a really big car - or a really talented builder . Just thought I would share my experiences so you are prepared. It might be better to borrow a ramp before you buy to see how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks for the suggestions this far. Anyone else on the harness? I seem to recall there being 2 common suggestions, the Ruffwear and one other? Unfortunately I think we're going to need it sooner than later. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 The other one that I have is made by Carol Becker of God's Greyts. They have an etsy site. It can take a little while as she makes them to fit your dog, but they are light weight and can stay on the dog 24/7. The Ruffwear is sturdier, but I wouldn't leave it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 You may or may not be interested in these suggestions: PetSTEP Ramp: We love the wonderfully secure rubber traction design on this ramp, especially when it rains or snows. It folds easily and rests behind the front car seats. Could it be longer or wider(?)... Definitely, but the secure footing was worth it to us. (It's too short for trucks or large SUV's.) We got the lighter color so elder dogs can see it more easily. Reflective strips could be added along the sides if needed for easier visibility in snow. http://www.petstep.com/index.htm I think it's important to teach hounds to walk on any ramp on floor level first, then up one step, then up two steps, etc. until they graduate to the car height. We practiced for a week or longer by placing the ramp inside on a brightly lit, narrow walkway leading out to their potty area. Of course, any elder dog needs to be closely escorted on any car ramp. Our teenage hounds still use this car ramp. Assistance Harnesses: We have the neoprene "Walkabelly" which works well for our females, but I'm planning to order one of their other styles for elder boys for stair assistance. http://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/collections/walkabout-harnesses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I just got the Ruffwear harness for Ben and love it. I was able to buy it at a outdoor sports store (Adventure Guide) so I could try it on him right away to make sure it fit properly. Robin told me about it and a vet told her it was perfect for a greyhound. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 The other one that I have is made by Carol Becker of God's Greyts. They have an etsy site. It can take a little while as she makes them to fit your dog, but they are light weight and can stay on the dog 24/7. The Ruffwear is sturdier, but I wouldn't leave it on.Thanks! This is the other one I was thinking of, but couldn't find a reference to. I'll look into all of the suggestions. Not sure yet whether I want something I can leave on or something sturdier. Right now it's just potty trips and walks, typically 3x/day so I wouldn't mind on/off, but there are evenings when he drinks a lot and asks to go out extra times again lately so at least leaving it on in the evenings might be nice. He wouldn't have to wear it all day or overnight. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 The other one that I have is made by Carol Becker of God's Greyts. They have an etsy site. It can take a little while as she makes them to fit your dog, but they are light weight and can stay on the dog 24/7. The Ruffwear is sturdier, but I wouldn't leave it on. Here is the link to the harness referenced above. We recently purchased one for our Darcy. We're not quite to the point of needing it yet, but since the are made to order, we wanted to have it handy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/225448995/greyhound-assistance-harness?ref=shop_home_active_2 For now, we walk behind Darcy going up the stairs. Before heading down the stairs in the mornings, I put on her Wiggles, Wags & Whiskers harness and hold the back control loop as I walk alongside her. Old dog (14 years 8 months) is so darn determined to do things herself. This morning, as I was holding onto the back of her harness, she took a leap four steps from the bottom... on purpose. Quote Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E) Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks! This is the other one I was thinking of, but couldn't find a reference to. I'll look into all of the suggestions. Not sure yet whether I want something I can leave on or something sturdier. Right now it's just potty trips and walks, typically 3x/day so I wouldn't mind on/off, but there are evenings when he drinks a lot and asks to go out extra times again lately so at least leaving it on in the evenings might be nice. He wouldn't have to wear it all day or overnight. I have one of Carol Becker's for my boy. I do really like it for supporting him up and down the ramp in our garden, but he refuses to wear it in the house - just won't lie down with it on and gets really upset until I take it off. My girl doesn't like to wear it either because she's funny about things around her waist. I also have the Ruffwear, which my girl is very happy to wear when needed, and which I feel enables more support but imo is too bulky to be left on in the house. Very different harnesses, but each useful in its own way. Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the suggestions this far. Anyone else on the harness? I seem to recall there being 2 common suggestions, the Ruffwear and one other? Unfortunately I think we're going to need it sooner than later. The harness I used for Sweet was the Help'EmUp and I cannot say enough good about it. Edited October 6, 2015 by FiveRoooooers Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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